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A Worcester County Superior Court jury delivered justice last Thursday, convicting Joshua Hubert, 43, of Worcester, on multiple felony charges stemming from a horrific 2017 assault on a then-7-year-old girl that shocked our community to its core.

The jury found Hubert guilty of two counts of attempted murder, one count of strangulation, and one count of kidnapping a child following what must have been an incredibly difficult trial for everyone involved. However, he was acquitted of two counts of aggravated rape in connection with the August 27, 2017, attack.

When Judge Karin Bell sentences Hubert on October 3, he could face up to 35 years behind bars—a sentence that many in Worcester feel would be entirely appropriate given the severity of his crimes.

A Night That Changed Everything

The assault began after what should have been a joyful family celebration. On August 26, 2017, the victim’s grandparents hosted a birthday party at their home. Hubert, who was considered a close family friend and regular attendee at the family’s summer gatherings, was among the guests.

But around 2:30 a.m. on August 27, this trusted family friend turned predator, kidnapping the 7-year-old girl and driving her around Worcester County for approximately 90 minutes in what prosecutors described as a terrifying ordeal.

During that drive, Hubert pulled over at one point, where he strangled and assaulted the young girl, leaving bruises on her neck and body that would serve as evidence in his eventual conviction.

A Survivor’s Incredible Courage

What happened next is nothing short of miraculous—and a testament to the incredible strength and survival instincts of a child who refused to give up.

Last week, the victim—now 15 years old—took the stand to testify about that horrific night. She told jurors how she tried to fight back against her attacker, but when Hubert put a plastic bag over her head, she made the split-second decision that likely saved her life: she pretended to be dead.

That quick thinking wasn’t enough to end her ordeal. Hubert then drove to the I-290 bridge over Lake Quinsigamond in Shrewsbury and threw her from the bridge into the water below.

But this brave young girl wasn’t done fighting. After surviving the fall, she swam nearly 100 yards to shore—an incredible feat for anyone, let alone a traumatized 7-year-old in the dark. Once she reached land, she found help from a nearby resident who immediately contacted authorities.

Her survival and ability to identify her attacker set in motion an investigation that would eventually bring Hubert to justice, though it would take years to get there.

The Long Road to Justice

Hubert didn’t go quietly when authorities came for him. After his arrest, he pleaded not guilty to all charges and was held on $1 million bail—a reflection of just how serious the courts considered these crimes.

Since 2020, his trial has faced repeated delays, meaning this survivor and her family have had to live with the uncertainty of when they would finally see their day in court. That kind of waiting can be almost as traumatic as the original crime, especially for a family trying to heal and move forward.

But Worcester’s legal system and law enforcement community didn’t forget. They kept working, kept preparing, and kept fighting for this survivor.

Community Response and Law Enforcement Praise

Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier didn’t mince words when praising the work that went into securing this conviction.

“The Worcester Police Department’s Special Crimes Unit and DA Joe Early demonstrated remarkable dedication in their pursuit of justice,” Saucier said. “We are deeply grateful for their efforts on behalf of the victim and their family.”

That kind of dedication matters in a case like this. Sexual assault cases involving children are among the most difficult to investigate and prosecute. They require specialized training, sensitivity, and an unwavering commitment to getting justice for survivors who often can’t advocate for themselves.

The collaboration between Worcester Police, the DA’s office, and other law enforcement agencies shows what’s possible when our community’s protectors work together with a shared mission.

What This Conviction Means for Worcester

This case hits different because Hubert wasn’t some stranger lurking in shadows – he was someone this family trusted. Someone who sat at their dinner table, attended their celebrations, and was welcomed into their home.

That betrayal of trust makes this case particularly heartbreaking, but it also makes the conviction particularly important. It sends a clear message that Worcester won’t tolerate predators, regardless of their relationship to victims or their standing in the community.

The fact that a jury of our peers looked at the evidence and delivered guilty verdicts on the most serious charges shows that Worcester takes child safety seriously. We believe survivors. We pursue justice relentlessly.

Looking Ahead to Sentencing

When Judge Bell sentences Hubert on October 3, she’ll have the opportunity to ensure he faces consequences that match the severity of his crimes. The 35-year maximum sentence would mean Hubert would be nearly 80 years old before he could even be considered for release.

For the survivor and her family, that sentencing hearing will hopefully provide some sense of closure after eight years of living with the trauma of this attack and the stress of legal proceedings.

It’s also an opportunity for our community to show continued support for this incredibly brave young woman who survived the unthinkable and had the courage to testify about it.

Supporting Survivors in Our Community

This case reminds us that child sexual assault happens closer to home than many of us want to admit. The statistics are sobering—most child victims know their attackers, and many of those attacks happen within family or social circles where trust has been established.

That makes it even more important that we create environments where children feel safe reporting inappropriate behavior, where families know the warning signs, and where our community stands ready to support survivors through the long healing process.

Worcester has resources available for survivors of sexual assault and their families, including counseling services, victim advocacy programs, and support groups. No survivor should have to navigate this journey alone.

A Community United Against Violence

While this conviction brings some measure of justice, it can’t undo the trauma this survivor experienced or give back the innocence that was stolen from her that August night in 2017.

What it can do is demonstrate that Worcester stands with survivors, believes their stories, and will pursue justice no matter how long it takes or how difficult the case becomes.

This young woman’s courage—both in surviving that horrific night and in testifying years later—serves as an inspiration to other survivors who may be struggling to find their voice or wondering if anyone will believe them.

The answer is clear: Worcester believes you. Worcester will fight for you. And Worcester will hold perpetrators accountable.

As we await Hubert’s sentencing next month, we can take some comfort in knowing that our legal system worked as it should, that dedicated professionals pursued justice relentlessly, and that one incredibly brave survivor refused to let her attacker escape consequences for his actions.

That’s the Worcester spirit – we don’t give up on each other, especially when it comes to protecting our most vulnerable community members.

Have news, tips, or a story Worcester needs to hear? Reach Editor-in-Chief Jerry Filmore at [email protected] or [email protected] (because community news starts with you.)